Ukraine war a small factor in Aust energy crisis as offline generators, soaring coal prices slam consumers

Manufacturers reeling from surging power costs say they're on the brink of disaster - despite Australia being a major exporter of gas. 

The sector is urging federal government intervention as a matter of survival to stop businesses from going under. 

But ABC's Peter Ryan says there are no easy answers as the new federal government confronts a crisis that could take years to unravel.